★★★★★
Following the massive success of 2007's She's Royal, the most popular performer in reggae right now, Tarrus Riley, has bounced back with possibly the best album of his career. An 18-track mix of roots reggae, lovers rock and dancehall co-produced by Bob Marley's old saxman, music legend Dean Fraser, Contagious also includes a great cover of Human Nature that even outclasses Michael Jackson's version.
- www.hour.ca
2010-11-02
★★★★★
Tarrus Riley's first album Challenges showcased a precocious new talent. His second, Parables, is regarded as a modern classic by reggae fans. Now he has unveiled his third record: an ambitious, brazenly commercial, genre-transcending statement that proves Jamaica's brightest hope has come of age. Once again the project is a partnership between Riley and his 'big brother' Dean Fraser...
- www.bbc.co.uk
2010-08-22
★★★★★
Recent coverage of the Jamaican music scene might have you believing the island's output is limited to lyrically explicit dancehall. In actuality, a number of artists like Omar "Tarrus" Riley are working to create positive, uplifting reggae. On his third album, Bronx-born Riley lays out 18 diverse tracks that include a cautionary tale of adultery (S-Craving) and a great rendition of Michael Jackson's Human Nature...
- nowtoronto.com
2009-12-05
★★★★★
Meteoric though it may be, the timing of Tarrus Riley's success was a little strange. Second album, Parables burned slow before blowing up via the chart topping antics of She's Royal - creating a gap in the market while Riley and Dean Fraser work on something new. To avoid the hype going cool, VP have reissued his debut, Challenges, with two extra tracks - and it's a very interesting listen that will tell recent Tarrus converts plenty they didn't know...
- www.bbc.co.uk
2009-06-12